Uber Eats will mark the launch of Dine Out in Sydney this week with free pop-ups.
Dine Out is a world-first feature in the Uber Eats app, giving Sydneysiders access to hundreds of in-person dining deals.
The free pop-ups include a one-night-only dining experience, featuring some of Sydney’s iconic eateries and hosted by acclaimed chef Danielle Alvarez.

This week marks the debut of Uber Eats’ Dine Out, a new restaurant booking feature that will give Sydneysiders access to hundreds of in-person deals. With Sydney leading the global rollout, all eyes are on whether the industry giant can shake up the way we eat out.

How does the feature work?

Chances are you’ve booked a table in Sydney before using the platform OpenTable. Uber Eats’ Dine Out will be harnessing the popularity and usability of OpenTable by partnering with the service to simplify the booking process on the feature. Once a reservation is made, users can schedule an Uber ride to the restaurant.

Dine Out’s advantage over other dining deal sites is that it incorporates its world-famous ride-share platform into the booking, streamlining the entire experience. In addition to this, Uber Eats customers don’t need to download anything new — the Dine Out option appears in the existing app, putting it instantly in the hands of hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders.

There are plenty of perks for Uber One members, who will get exclusive access to top spots and prime tables. This extends to OpenTable VIP members (those who have booked at least 12 reservations in the past year) who will receive a complimentary six-month trial of Uber One. OpenTable members can also use their loyalty points on both Uber and Uber Eats services, meaning there’s plenty of chances to snap up deals and maximise value.

It’s not just about rides and reservations, though. Hundreds of restaurants are expected to offer dine-in discounts, enticing diners to head out for dinner at some of their favourite local restaurants, including Catalina, Fabbrica and Mary’s.

Danielle Alvarez Uber Eats dine out — Danielle Alvarez curated House of Eats with the help of some of Sydney’s favourite eateries. (Image supplied).

Free pop-ups

To mark the exciting new feature, Uber Eats is hosting a free restaurant event called House of Eats in Sydney on Friday, August 8. The immersive dining experience will feature bites from some of Sydney’s most iconic eateries and Dine Out’s partner restaurants, handpicked by acclaimed chef Danielle Alvarez.

The menu features Rose Bay waterside restaurant Catalina, Italian neighbourhood favourite Fabbrica, and cult burger bosses Mary’s. Funky wine bar and liquor merchants P&V will be in charge of the booze, which includes a verde Negroni and expertly paired wines. House of Eats will take place at the Rainbow Studios in Darlinghurst, which will be transformed into a green-hued space with velvet drapes and a groovy bespoke playlist.

Tickets to the event sold out in less than a minute, indicating that lots of people have eyes on Uber Eats’ latest venture. For those who missed out on this pop-up, there’s another opportunity to get free bites on Saturday, August 9, at Bondi institution Harry’s. They’ll be giving the first 300 people who rock up to Rainbow Studios a lemon and ricotta croissant with white chocolate and pistachio drizzle and a pistachio crumb, as well as a mandarin varietal of their iconic canned matcha.

Uber Eats Harrys — Harry’s will be giving away free brekkie to the first 300 who rock up to Rainbow Studios on Saturday, August 9. (Image supplied).

Why Sydney?

Dine Out marks the first time Australia has piloted a new Uber Eats product of this scale. Sydney was selected to lead the global launch of the feature thanks to its thriving restaurant scene and tech-savvy diners — many of whom will already use platforms like EatClub and FirstTable.

OpenTable is by far the biggest restaurant-booking service in Australia, and Uber dominates Australia’s rideshare and food delivery market, where competitors like Deliveroo, Foodora, Ola and GoCatch have failed. This makes the two platforms a match made in heaven, and there’s no doubt they’re looking to revolutionise (and dominate) the industry with their Dine Out collab.

Ed Kitchen, the Managing Director of Uber Eats Australia and New Zealand, said, “When I joined Uber Eats in 2016, we had a few hundred restaurant partners. Today, we support over 60,000 merchants across Australia – and we’re always looking for new ways to back the industry”.

He continued, stating, “It’s about making eating out more affordable and giving restaurants a boost during the quieter winter months.”

There’s also no shortage of participating venues, with standout names like ACe Hotel’s Lobby Bar, Centro 86, Arthur’s Pizza, The Cottage Balmain, Chester White Cured Diner and The Restaurant Pendolino among the many eateries featured on the platform.

Fabbrica will feature on Dine Out and at House of Eats. (Image supplied).

A first look at Dine Out

Pulling up my Uber Eats app, I can already see plenty of Dine Out deals offered to me. Paddington Greens, one of my favourite salad spots, but also one of the more expensive, is offering 30% off orders over $20 through Dine Out. Surrey Hills institution Brooklyn Boy Bagels is offering $8 off orders over $40 at specific hours throughout the day, and Darlinghurst favourite Thai Tharee is doing 20% off between 4pm and 9:30pm.

The deals are worth checking out, especially if you’re dining during off-peak hours, Monday to Friday — exactly when restaurants are most eager to fill seats. The inclusion of beloved local spots is a strong sign for the new feature, with Sydneysiders likely to jump at the chance to score deals at their favourite venues.